Big Bash League 2019 Match 21, Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Hobart Hurricanes will host Brisbane Heat for Match 21 for the 2019-20 BBL, at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. The hosts have played 4 times so far: while they have lost both matches against Melbourne Stars, they beaten Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades in their respective matches.

One of their defeats came in the last match, one rain restricted the Hurricanes innings to only 11 overs; in response, the Stars could bat only 7.3 overs, winning by 4 runs via the DLS Method. This, despite James Faulkner reducing the Stars to 3/2 in the first over and finishing with 2-0-10-2.

Along with Riley Meredith, Faulkner has been Hobart’s most potent weapon, with Qais Ahmed and Nathan Ellis providing commendable support. Unfortunately, the batting has not quite come off so far. Big guns like Ben McDermott and David Miller have not delivered, and despite his two fifties, D’Arcy Short has not been at his explosive best.

The Heat, on the other hand, have lost to Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Stars, and Perth Scorchers, their only win coming against Sydney Sixers at Sydney. Brisbane’s charge was led by Chris Lynn’s 60-ball 94 that day.

Unfortunately, that was offset against the Scorchers in their next match, where they were shot out for 109. Two of their batsmen went past 15 – and they were their Nos. 10 and 11. It will take a substantial effort for them to recover from there.

The Hobart hold an advantage, for they have been the better team and they will play at home.

Head to head

Hobart Hurricanes hold a clear advantage here, having won 10 matches and lost 4.

Key players

James Faulkner (Hobart Hurricanes): Tournament figures of 8-0-47-7 reflect how good Faulkner has been in the tournament. He has not batted a lot, but one cannot ignore that dimension of the Faulkner threat either.

Tom Banton (Brisbane Heat): Banton came into the tournament with a tremendous reputation; he justified the hype with a 36-ball 64 against the Stars. Something similar will be expected of him at Hobart.

Likely XIs

Hobart Hurricanes: D’Arcy Short, Simon Milenko, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott (c & wk), David Miller, George Bailey, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Clive Rose, Qais Ahmed, Riley Meredith.

Brisbane Heat: Tom Banton, Max Bryant, Chris Lynn (c), Matt Renshaw, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Ben Cutting, Mark Steketee, Josh Lalor, Ben Laughlin, Zahir Khan.

Prediction

Hobart Hurricanes to win.